64 Galaxie w/manual steering hard to turn

[callbald]

It takes a lot of muscle to turn the wheels with manual steering at low speed. But backing up the steering is very easy. Anyone know why the big difference?

The problem is bad enough I looking at a Borgeson P/S conversion.

[miker98038]

Backing up has to do with the alignment settings, I think mostly toe in, but I’m no expert.

Steering effort parking and driving is mainly a trade off in castor, between easy to steer and tracking straight. If the car in question is in your avatar, and the wheels and tires are as they appear that could be a big impact. Find an alignment guy that knows how to set up cars as opposed to following a spec.

Someone with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

[JimNNN]

I have no idea what the lube zerks are like on that car, but I'll never forget when I was 20 and had muscles and I finally took my old '59 Chevy Apache pickup in to get lubed. The guy had to use a torch to get the dried on old grease off the fittings. When he was all done that truck felt - to me - like it had power steering. If you've never lubed it or had it lubed, that's where I'd start.


I'm wondering if the car steers easier going backwards because of the geometry of "rear wheel steering." Just a wild guess on that, though.

[datac]

If it's the car in your sig photo, I'd start by rethinking your tire choice. These cars steered just fine without power assist back in the day, but nobody was running giant rubber, either. That big contact patch means a boatload of extra friction. It's no coincidence that power steering became ubiquitous as tire sizes ballooned.

[Alaska Jim]

as said , part of it is your choice of those rubber band tires. however, any radial tire "turns " harder" than the old bias ply tires. especially at low speed turns and parking. they did not call it Armstrong steering for nothing.

[ahshoe]

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If you are looking at Borgeson send me a PM....I have a new unit available with matching PS pump.Also can tell you all about the pros and cons of it in a full size Fairlane or Galaxie

[Ole Don]

In that era of time, Ford pioneered ball joints with no zerks as an easier car to maintain. Often, the ball joints had a plug. Remove the plug, install a zerk, and grease with a good quality moly lube. Then re-read the above about tires. Anything with the Borgeson brand should be good parts, and a wise investment of you plan to keep the car.

[Daves55Sedan]

If I remember correctly, around that era, the "G" series tires were the popular replacement of OEM tires. The "G" tires had a tread with of around 5" to maybe 5-1/2". That is a lot less friction on the road than your super wide tires.
Also, when using the more modern tires, some of your front end alignment parameters need to be changed from the original specifications. You should consult with your friendly neighborhood front end alignment specialist if you can trust him.

[Motorhead6]

Borgeson is an excellent choice. However it is not an easy installation. You will have to shorten the steering column to allow for the taller steering box. This also involves making provision to stabilize the lower end of the column because the column support schema is different on these GM steering boxes as opposed to the Ford boxes. You will also be modifying the shifter arm on the column. If you are not handy with metal working, fabrication and welding and such you will have to take it to someone who is. Because of the extent of work involved this will be an expensive endeavor. The end result is well worth the work if you can do it.

[34pickup]

Those cars came designed for narrow bias ply tires. I had a 64 Galaxie convertible with the heavy 390/auto setup and it had the bias ply tires on it. It was easy to steer and did not have power steering. Your tires are probably just too wide.

[a4278v]

those cars came with an inch bigger steering wheel on non power steering cars if you have the smaller wheel or worse a tiny aftermarket one that is the problem

[54vicky]

Originally Posted by a4278v

those cars came with an inch bigger steering wheel on non power steering cars if you have the smaller wheel or worse a tiny aftermarket one that is the problem

you should research before saying that as this is how myths propagateas to op I agree with the suggestion about the rubber bands

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by a4278v

those cars came with an inch bigger steering wheel on non power steering cars if you have the smaller wheel or worse a tiny aftermarket one that is the problem

Originally Posted by 54vicky

you should research before saying that as this is how myths propagateas to op I agree with the suggestion about the rubber bands

Why do you think the poster is incorrect? Maybe you need to do a little research.

M/S - 17 " Steering Wheel
P/S - 16" Steering Wheel

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by callbald

It takes a lot of muscle to turn the wheels with manual steering at low speed. But backing up the steering is very easy. Anyone know why the big difference?

Caster settings ...

[a4278v]

I've owned a few of those and they indeed use a bigger wheel with non power steering you should get your facts straight

[54vicky]

when I see factory literature I would with draw my comment,doing my own research when no one brought forth pictures or part#s I found some and they were 2 different sizes.strange that they would do it from a cost and logistic point but none the less they appear to have done it.

[34pickup]

Interesting discussion about larger steering wheels on non power cars. I would also like to know the truth. I find it hard to believe that the factory would go to all the trouble to design and manufacture a different size wheel for non power and power steering cars. Not saying they didn't, just find it to be not too efficient or cost effective in production. I would like to see the proof so I am no longer ignorant about it.

[KULTULZ]

It's very simple gentlemen. They are listed in the 60/64 MPC under BASIC PN 3600.

How much info do you need? The larger DIA wheel is is used to gain more leverage.

[34pickup]

You must be in this hobby as a pro. I don't know what this is:" 60/64 MPC under BASIC PN 3600."

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by 34pickup

You must be in this hobby as a pro. I don't know what this is:" 60/64 MPC under BASIC PN 3600."

Sorry About That ...

MASTER PARTS CATALOG - 3600 Is Basic Part Number For A Steering Wheel.

EDIT-

Full part description and sizing will be found in the text.